FSCS vs IVV
First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FSCS or IVV?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSCS is less concentrated, with 11.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FSCS | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $60M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 202 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +2.22% | +14.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.00% | +17.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.92% | +23.17%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.42% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,649 | $19,128Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.8%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2017 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2017 to Sep 21, 2026 (9.2 years).
FSCS vs IVV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 9.2 years both funds cover.
FSCS vs IVV Performance
First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF (FSCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year FSCS returned +0.00% while IVV returned +17.31%. Year to date, FSCS is up 2.22% versus a gain of 14.15% for IVV.
Over three years, FSCS compounded at +10.92% per year against +23.17% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +6.42% and +13.85% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.24% annualized vs +7.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FSCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 15.9% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -43.6% for FSCS and -33.9% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSCS charges 0.60% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSCS currently yields 0.98% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
29.3% of FSCS's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 1.0% of IVV's money is in holdings FSCS also owns.
FSCS and IVV share little of their money.
29 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FSCS and 490 in IVV, against full books of 202 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 453 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FSCS (97.7% of the fund), and 66 for FSCS that do not appear in IVV (65.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FSCS | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. | 1.21% | 0.03% | 1.18% |
| ULTAUlta Beauty Inc. | 1.11% | 0.04% | 1.07% |
| ALLEAllegion Plc | 1.12% | 0.02% | 1.10% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 1.10% | 0.04% | 1.06% |
| NDSNNordson Corp | 1.10% | 0.03% | 1.07% |
| DRIDarden Restaurants Inc. | 1.07% | 0.04% | 1.03% |
| AVYAvery Dennison Corp. | 1.08% | 0.02% | 1.06% |
| RJFRaymond James Financial Inc. | 1.05% | 0.05% | 1.00% |
| VLTOVeralto Corp | 1.04% | 0.04% | 1.00% |
| INCYIncyte Corp. | 1.04% | 0.03% | 1.01% |
29.3% of FSCS is already inside IVV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FSCS or IVV?
FSCS has an expense ratio of 0.60% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSCS or IVV?
Over the past year FSCS returned +0.00% vs +17.31% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FSCS annualized +7.65% vs +14.24% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSCS or IVV?
FSCS has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 15.9% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FSCS -43.6% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both FSCS and IVV?
FSCS and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FSCS and IVV?
29.3% of FSCS's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 1.0% of IVV's is in holdings FSCS also owns. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in FSCS and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSCS or IVV?
FSCS yields 0.98% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FSCS?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSCS is less concentrated, with 11.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.